Real Stories, Real Impact: What Borrowers Say About SDS

When it comes to student loans, most borrowers are left in the dark—stuck between confusing information on Studentaid.gov and limited guidance from their servicer. That’s where Student Debt Solutions (SDS) changes the game. Our platform bridges the gap by combining powerful calculators, personalized analysis, and real human support that go far beyond what the federal portal or a call center can offer.

Across the country, borrowers are telling us the same thing:

“I thought Studentaid.gov had all the answers—but it didn’t tell me which plan was best for me.”

“My servicer gave me the wrong information, but SDS showed me the repayment path that saved me hundreds each month.”

These stories aren’t the exception—they’re the reason SDS exists.

From $2,000 Payments to Total Forgiveness

One borrower worked in the public service sector for more than 15 years, believing she was on track for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). After the 12-month on-ramp ended, she hadn’t heard from her servicer, so she assumed everything was fine—until she checked her credit report and discovered she was eight months past due. Her servicer was requesting over $2,000 per month.

When she logged into Studentaid.gov, the Loan Simulator showed two options: five more years of payments under her current plan or ten years under PSLF—with no forgiveness. Confused and frustrated, she turned to SDS.

Within minutes, SDS identified what neither her servicer nor the government tool could:

• She had already made 153 qualifying PSLF payments and was eligible for immediate cancellation once her employment was updated.

• SDS guided her through using a qualified forbearance to correct the past-due balance and prevent further credit damage.

Within weeks, she received official confirmation—her entire balance was forgiven. The servicer never caught it. SDS did.

Half the Payment, Twice the Clarity

Another borrower had been told by his servicer that because he had Parent PLUS Loans, his lowest possible payment was $1,000 per month. Frustrated, he used SDS to explore other paths.

SDS reviewed his NSLDS file to analyze his complete federal loan profile, coupled with our up-to-date decisioning technology. This deeper analysis revealed a smarter strategy:

• Consolidate his Parent PLUS loans into a new Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan.

• Reduce his monthly payment by more than half.

• Maintain eligibility for long-term forgiveness and protect his credit.

With the help of SDS’s Expert Chat and Document Assistance, he developed a complete action plan—knowing exactly what forms to submit, how to submit them, what timeline to expect, and what to say when following up with his servicer.

The SDS Difference

SDS is more than a loan simulator—it’s an intelligent decision engine. Our tools compare every repayment plan, consolidation option, and forgiveness path side by side. We go beyond showing “what is” and focus on “what’s possible.”

While Studentaid.gov gives you data, and your servicer gives you their version of the story, SDS gives you direction—a complete strategy with the steps, documents, and insights you need to take control of your loans and your future.

When borrowers see the full picture for the first time, they say what we hear again and again:

“SDS didn’t just tell me what my options were—it showed me the way forward.”

Ready to see your options clearly?

Discover how SDS bridges the gap and puts you back in control by providing various resources, tools, and expert support to help you identify the best repayment options. Whether you need guidance on repayment plans, tools to estimate monthly payments, or assistance understanding your eligibility for forgiveness programs, SDS has you covered. Log in now to explore your options.